Grow An Oak From An Acorn
How to grow an oak tree from an acorn using the fridge method for cold stratification. Works for white oaks and red oaks native to parts of Canada and the United States.
Makes: 1 oak tree
Cost: $10
Equipment
- 1 Garden gloves (optional)
- 1 Sharpie marking pen (optional)
Ingredients
- 20 Acorns native to your area, fresh, ripe, viable
- 6 sheets Paper towel moistened
- 1 large Plastic food bag or food container
Instructions
- Label food bag or container with name of oak species (if known).1 large Plastic food bag
- Place acorns sandwiched between sheets of moistened paper towels.6 sheets Paper towel, 20 Acorns
- With acorns covered, place everything in food bag or container in fridge. Do not seal bag or use a lid: you want some air circulation.
- Set reminder in calendar or phone to check acorns every few days.
- When acorn root or shoot is around two-inches long, plant in potting mix approximately one inch deep below surface with roots aiming down.
- If mid-winter, grow oak sapling in sunny window, never allowing soil to dry out. Otherwise grow outdoors in part shade.
- Oak can be transplanted to final location in garden when approximately a foot tall with several leaves and/or prior to becoming rootbound.
Notes
Acorns from white oaks germinate in fall.
Acorns from red oaks first require a period of cold stratification before they can germinate. This fridge method mimics cold stratification using a household fridge.
I use paper towel but you can use a washable tea or dish towel as well.
Your fridge temperature should be 34° to 40°F / 1° to 4°C. Never allow acorns to freeze or dry out.
See the entire article for tips on choosing viable acorns, identifying white versus red oaks, and more detailed planting instructions.
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